Moving from Thornton, CO to Des Moines, IA
The drive from Thornton, CO to Des Moines, IA runs 662 mi — about 11h 31m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
662 mi · 11h 31m by car · IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 76, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Aurora, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thornton | Des Moines | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 91.701 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 84.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 84.741 | 100.0 |
Des Moines is 13.3% cheaper than Thornton overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Des Moines is 13.3% below Thornton — $502,945 vs $208,166 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, Des Moines +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Thornton | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | 36.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 36.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Thornton (52.4°F) and Des Moines (50.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Des Moines averages 36.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 212,464 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $63,966 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.36 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 13.3% between Thornton and Des Moines (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Des Moines MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 48,550 | $46,670 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 35,680 | $36,420 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 34,890 | $78,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,360 | $45,430 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 30,210 | $30,100 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Iowa
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Iowa's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Des Moines averages 36.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Tornado season runs April through June — identify a safe room or interior space early.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Iowa after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Des Moines compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $208,166 in Des Moines vs $502,945 in Thornton — a 58.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Des Moines compare to Thornton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA vs $58,490 in the Thornton MSA, on total employment of 383,190 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Thornton to Des Moines?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 662 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Des Moines, IA from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 662 mi and the route typically takes 11h 31m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 76. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Thornton vs Des Moines?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,966 in Des Moines vs $100,985 in Thornton — a 36.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Des Moines more expensive than Thornton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Des Moines is 13.3% lower than Thornton (91.701 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Thornton and Des Moines?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.9°F in Des Moines vs 52.4°F in Thornton (1.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 36.5 in vs 44.8 in. Annual precipitation: 36.6 in vs 14.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Thornton.
City profiles: Thornton, CO · Des Moines, IA.